This past week, Elder Christensen and I met with Cardinal O'Malley, the head of the Archdiocese here in Boston. Cardinal O'Malley assumed this post at a time of tremendous disarray within the Catholic church locally, and has been an important spiritual leader in our community.
As I scanned through the Cardinal's blog entry about our visit (see week of August 3, 2007), I was struck by the unique window this entry provides into his view of the world. Below I have provided some highlights, and editorialized as it relates to finding common ground.
1. With responsibility for 850,000 Catholics, Cardinal O'Malley is one of the most powerful people in greater Boston. Given that there are no more than a few thousand Mormons within his jurisdiction, Cardinal O'Malley can more than afford not to meet with the Mormons.
But he did anyway, and graciously, for nearly an hour.
What people do when they don't have to, speaks volumes about who they are. Elder Christensen and I learned that Cardinal O'Malley is respectful and kind, that he practices the doctrine of inclusion.
When we as Mormons are in a position of relative power (e.g. in the majority), I do hope that we are equally respectful and gracious.
2. Cardinal O'Malley writes that he agreed to meet with us because of his "outreach to other religious denominations...seeking for ways to collaborate". In other words, meeting with other faiths, joining the broader community, is a priority for him.
As wards, stakes and regions, are we finding ways to collaborate with our community?
Do we feel we need to collaborate?
3. The Cardinal also notes that Elder Christensen thanked him for the Catholic Church's efforts to put a marriage amendment on the ballot in Massachusetts. This was a heated, even nasty battle, in which advocates of traditional marriage did not prevail. Cardinal O'Malley was no doubt grateful to know that their efforts had not gone unnoticed.
How often do we thank other faiths and community groups for the good that they do?
Do we readily acknowledge all that is virtuous, lovely, praiseworthy or of good report?
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